Denzel Valentine: Latest News, Rumors and Buzz on SG's 2016 NBA Draft Stock

Denzel Valentine is a likely first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft on June 23, but concern regarding his knees could lead to a precipitous fall down draft boards. 

According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, sources have indicated that at least some teams are wary of selecting Valentine since he dealt with knee injuries in high school and during his time at Michigan State.

Valentine contends he and his knees are healthy, per Woelfel: 

"

This is kind of catching me by surprise. I've had knee things throughout my career, but I never really missed many games.

My injuries were very minor. I don't have to do any more surgeries; I don't have to take any precautions. There's not anything holding me back. I'm healthy now, and I'll continue to strengthen my legs and continue to take care of my body.

"

An anonymous scouting director told Woelfel he would still select Valentine despite the apprehension regarding his knees.

Also, an anonymous player personnel director had the following to say about the former Spartans standout's status: "You have to check the knee stuff out, but I think he'll be fine. He's a ballplayer. He'll be able to come in and play right away. He can play small forward, shooting guard and be a secondary ball-handler. And he plays both ends of the floor. I like the guy a lot."

Valentine is coming off the best collegiate season of his career, averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. He also shot over 44 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line, making him the definition of a do-everything player.

He has the ability to play shooting guard or out on the wing at small forward, and his versatility is perhaps his biggest asset entering the draft.

Teams must do their due diligence on every prospect before investing a valuable first-round pick, and Valentine is no exception to that rule.

Even if some teams are scared off by his past knee injuries, Valentine will eventually become such a great value that an organization won't be able to pass him up.

His all-around game gives him an outside shot at being a lottery pick, but even if he slides a bit, it is difficult to envision a player with Valentine's skill set lasting beyond the opening round.

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